Challenge Bathurst has two categories - "Supersprint" and "Regularity". We compete in regularity. The only benefit of the supersprint category is two extra runs of 20 mins each over the two days (so 8x20 min sessions instead of 6x20 min sessions for regularity), you can do faster than 2:36 per lap (good luck with that......) and it costs an extra $1000.
I go with the Qld Z Car Club who got a foot in the door early before Challenge Bathurst was run for the first time last year and managed to fill a fair percentage of one whole group (there are 5 groups in regularity) in 2016 and all but 3 spots out of 55 in one group this year. They also provided a large number of officials. They are a great bunch of guys and welcome anyone.
The group this year consisted of lots of zeds in various configs right up to RB turbo engine versions, plus quite a few other random Datsuns (1200's, 1600's, 180B's, 200B's, R30 skyline, a Sunny, 240C coupe, a Fairlady plus an original factory Gazelle that was raced by Mark Skaife and a factory Pintara TRX racer. Also had an extremely quick R33 GTR, genuine XA GT Falcon, a trio of Fiat Abarth race cars, a few FD RX7's and probably a few others I've forgotten. They range from "real" race cars down to road cars driven by people who just want the experience of doing Bathurst.
So yeah, pretty much anyone who wants to have a go can do so. Only requirements are the usual supersprint type preparation (tow hooks, extinguisher, etc) and the car must be either road registered or logbooked (due to being a State-level event). No cage required, not even driving suit - it really is on the same level as a normal club / multi-club supersprint.
There were a few turbo Datsuns there - Shawn from Sydney Datsun Club in his old faithful SR20-engined 1600 was just one.
Its not just a track day either, quite a lot of us go up early (on Wednesday) and volunteer as flag marshals on Thurs / Fri for the sprint then compete on Sat / Sun. If you volunteer for even one day, you get free camping in the paddock campground for the duration of the event, otherwise you can still camp but it costs something like $80 a day (I could be wrong on cost). Because Qld Z club supply such a large number of competitors and officials we get our own little corner of the campground and are allowed to set up a central area to sit around and discuss the day's shenanigans each night. I love it, one of the best tracks in the world, a well run event and great group of guys in our group the last two years. Definitey bucket list stuff ! Only downside is its addictive.....
Club Zed under construction in the paddock vvvvvvvvvvvvv
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